Dental compressed air/vacuum apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed is a combined water ring vacuum pump and compressor, both mounted in a single cabinet. The vacuum pump is mounted in the base of the cabinet, the compressor is mounted on a vibration insulated platform suspended from the top of the cabinet and the compressor drive motor is attached to the underside of the support platform. A water line connects the compressed air heat exchanger to the water ring vacuum pump, so that the water introduced into the vacuum pump is first used to cool the air from the compressor.

United States Patent [191 Cousins 1 May 22, 1973 s41 DENTAL COMPRESSEDAIR/VACUUM 3,229,368 1/1966 Tocchini ..312/209 x APPARATUS 3,462,0758/1969 Dirk et al [75] Inventor: Leroy L. Cousins, Rochester, NY. [73]Assignee: Sybron Corporation, Rochester, 3553-840 V1971 Bordelon3,691,634 9/1972 Buchtel ..32/22 [22] Filed: 1972 Primary ExaminerSamuelScott 2 App} 225 7 Attorney-Theodore B. Roessel [52] U.S. Cl. ..l37/340,32/22, 312/209, [57] ABSTRACT 417/363 417/313 Disclosed is a combinedwater ring vacuum pump and [51] Int. Cl ..Fl6k 49/00 compressor, bothmounted in a single cabinet The [58] Field of Search ..137/334, 340;32/22; vacuum p p is mounted in the base of the cabinet, 417/363, 313;312/209 the compressor is mounted on a vibration insulated platformsuspended from the top of the cabinet and [56] References Cited thecompressor drive motor is attached to the underside of the supportplatform. A water line connects the UNITED STATES PATENTS compressed airheat exchanger to the water ring 2,640,724 6/1953 Sanders et al...137/344 x vacuum P p 50 that the water introduced into the 2,349,3675/1944 Muffly ..137/340X vacuum pump is first used to cool the air fromthe 2,658,240 11/1953 Talmage ..4l7/3l3 compressor, 2,666,568 1/1954Alexander... 137/334X 3,203,353 8/1965 Ruby ..4l7/363 12 Claims, 3Drawing Figures PATENTEL W22 3134,12 2

SHEET 1 OF 3 PATENTED MAY 2 2 I975 SHEET, 2 BF 3 DENTAL COMPRESSEDAIR/VACUUM APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventionrelates to apparatus for use in dental offices and the like, namely asingle selfcontained unit providing both the vacuum and compressed airneeds of the dental office.

Heretofore, compressors and vacuum pumps required by the dentalpractitioner were usually purchased separately and installed in some outof the way location such as a basement. Suitable utility lines thenconnected the compressor and vacuum pump to one or more dentaloperatories. The vibration noise of the compressor was particularly aproblem, requiring that the compressor be installed outside of thedental laboratory. Vibration noises of the vacuum pump, particularly ofthe water ring pump, are minimal, but the floor space requirements ofseparate compressor and vacuum pump apparatus dictated the necessity ofinstalling these components outside of the confines of the dentallaboratory, where floor space is at a premium.

A secondary problem with respect to the compressors generally is thedifficulty in adjusting the tension of the drive belts connecting thedrive motor to the compressor.

The present invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art bycombining a water ring vacuum pump, a compressor and a compressed airstorage tank in a single cabinet, which occupies a minimum of floorspace. To economize on floor space, the vacuum pump, compressor drivemotor, and compressor are all arranged one above the other in thecabinet. This arrangement permits a simple, relatively vibration free,mounting of the compressor, together with means for adjusting thetension of the compressor drive belts, and also permits an integrationof the water system for cooling the compressed air and running the waterring vacuum pump.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention can be characterized inone aspect thereof by agenerally upright cabinet, having a water ringvacuum pump mounted in the base thereof and a compressor mounted on aplatform suspended from adjacent the top of the cabinet. The platformsuspension is not rigid and is therefore able to absorb the vibrationsproduced by the compressor. The compressor drive motor is mounted to theunderside of the platform on means for moving the motor with respect tothe platform to adjust the tension in the compressor drive belts. Thewater used to operate the water ring vacuum pu'mpis circulated firstthrough a heat exchanger adjacent the outlet of the compressor and thenthrough the water ring vacuum pump.

OBJECTS OF THE PRESENT INVENTION A primary object of the presentinvention is to provide a relatively compact unit, occupying a minimumof floor space for supplying the vacuum and compressed air needs of adental laboratory.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a unit asdescribed, wherein the vacuum pump and compressor are located one abovethe other in a single cabinet.

Still another object of the present invention isto provide a unit of thetype described, wherein the compressor is mounted to a platformsuspended from the top of the unit and the vacuum pump is. located onthe base of the unit.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a unit of thetype described wherein the vacuum pump is a water ring pump, the waterused for operating the vacuum pump being first passed. through a heatexchanger used to cool the compressed air output of the compressor.

A yet further object of the present invention is to provide a unit ofthe type described, having the compressor carried on a platformsuspended from the top of the unit with the compressor drive motor beingattached to the underside of the platform, both the compressor and motorbeing located directly above a vacuum pump in the base of the unit.

These and other objects, advantages and characterizing features of thepresent invention will become more apparent upon consideration of "thedetailed description thereof, when taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings depicting the same.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of theapparatus, partly broken away and in section, wherein covering panelshave been removed to show the individual components;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1, but showing a side elevation of theapparatus; and

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing air, water and vacuum flow.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, FIG.1 shows the apparatus housed in a generally upright mobile cabinet 10.For purposes of illustration, the panels which enclose the cabinet arenot shown. Various electrical lines, hydraulic lines, miscellaneousplumbing, etc., are also omitted from FIGS. 1 and 2.

Arranged within the cabinet is a compressor 12, an electric motor 14 fordriving the compressor, a water ring vacuum pump 16 and a compressed airstorage tank 18 (FIG. 2). These individual components are in themselveswell known in the art, sothat the construc tion and operation of theindividual components per se is not part of the present invention andwill not be described in any detail. Onoff switches for the vacuum pump,compressor motor and optional air drier stage are indicated at 11 andthe various pressure, vacuum gauges are indicated at 13.

Compressor 12 is mounted on a platform 20. The platform is in turnspaced from the sides of the cabinet and suspended by four tie rods 22from a cross piece 24 adjacent the top of the cabinet. The tie rodsprovide little or no lateral support for the platform, and permit theplatform to move or swing in a horizontal plane. This effectivelydampens the vibration produced by the compressor, so that little or novibrationand vibration noises are transmitted through the frame of thecabinet. Springs 26 may be provided between the tie rods and platform tofurther dampen vibration.

Compressor drive motor 14, as shown in the Figures, is mounted to theunderside of platform 20. Such an arrangement has several advantages.For example, the overall width of the enclosing cabinet 10 can be keptto a minimum by placing the motor below the compressor as opposed toplacing the motor alongside the compressor. Another advantage is thatinstallation of the motor below the compressor to the undersurface ofplatform 20 lowers the center of gravity of the platform and increasesits inertia. This improves the stability of the platform and reduces thestart up jolts of the compressor. The motor is mounted on a slidemechanism, generally indicated at 27, which will be described furtherhereinbelow.

Also mounted on platform 20 is a muffler-filter 28 and a heat exchanger30 (FIG. 1). Muffler 28 opens through an opening (not shown) in theplatform to permit air to enter the compressor through muffler 28 andinlet line 32. Compressed air leaves the compressor through exhaust line34 and passes through heat exchanger 30 where the heat of compression isremoved. The cooled, compressed air is then sent through line 36 tocompressed air tank 18 (FIG. 2) located in the cabinet behind thecompressor.

A water line 38 feeds water from a source (not shown) to heat exchanger30 for purposes of cooling the compressed air and a water outlet line 40connects the water outlet of the heat exchanger to the water inlet ofthe water ring vacuum pump.

To describe slide 27 in further detail, FIG. 1 shows that the undersideof platform 20 is provided with a pair of ways 42 which are inclinedwith respect to the plane of the platform. Through each way is anelongated groove 44. Motor mounting bolts 46 pass through these groovesto attach the motor and its support plate 48 to ways 42. Ways 42 andgrooves 44 are aligned generally normal to the axis of the drive motorand the axis of the compressor flywheel 50.

Threaded to an inwardly turned leg 52 of plate 48 is a draw bolt 54. Thebolt in turn passes through a clearance opening 56 on a depending leg 58of the platform. With this arrangement, it will be appreciated thatrotating draw bolt 54 in one direction or another will cause the motorsupport plate and motor to travel along the inclined ways 42. Thismovement is used to quickly and easily adjust the tension of thecompressor drive belts 60. Having ways 42 inclined with respect toplatform 20 permits a wider range of travel for a given width of thedental cabinet than would horizontally disposed ways. This increasedrange of travel facilitates assembly and replacement of motor 14, as itallows the motor to be moved to an extreme position so that drive belts60 can be slipped easily on and off the compressor flywheel and motordrive pulley.

The operation of the apparatus will be described with reference to theflow diagram of FIG. 3. Water from the building supply (not shown)enters the apparatus through a cut-off valve 62 and a strainer 64. Fromstrainer 64 the water enters a secondary heat exchanger at 66 (not shownin FIGS. 1 and 2), and then passes through line 38 to the primary heatexchanger 30, mounted on platform 20. From primary heat exchanger 30,the water passes through line 40 to the water ring vacuum pump 16. Itshould be noted that when the vacuum pump is not operating, a normallyclosed solenoid valve 66 is open to allow the water to bypass the vacuumpump and go directly to drain through line 68.

The operation of a water ring vacuum pump is well known in the art, andit is sufficient for the purposes of the present invention merely to saythat the pump is operated by a motor 70 which drives an impeller (notshown) in housing 72. Water entering the housing through line 40 is usedboth as a seal and as a pumping medium.

A vacuum line 74 connects the pump to one or more dental operatories, sothat any water used during the dental procedure, together with anysaliva, tooth particles, filling material, air, etc., is drawn throughthis line and a solid collector 76 into housing 72. An air water mixtureis discharged from housing 72 to the sewer drain through line 78. Theamount of vacuum may be read on one of the gauge dials 13 on the face ofthe apparatus.

As set out hereinabove, air enters the compressor 12 through intakemuffler-filter 28 mounted on platform 20 and the inlet line 32.Compressed air from exhaust line 34 first passes through the primaryheat exchanger 30 and then through a first portion line 36 to thesecondary heat exchanger 66. From the second heat exchanger the airwhich is now substantially cooled, passes through a moisture separator82 and the remaining portion of line 36 into the air tank 18. From theair tank, compressed air is fed through line 86 and various shut-off andregulator valves to the instruments in the operatory requiring a supplyof compressed air. Any moisture which may condense in air tank 18 passesthrough moisture separator 82' together with water from moistureseparator 82 through a line 88 to drain.

If it is necessary to dry the air still further, an optional air drier90 shown in dotted line may be provided in the overall construction ofthe apparatus. In this respect, it would be a simple matter to pass theair through line 36' to the drier and then return the dry air throughline 92 to the compressed air tank. Moisture separated from the airwould go through a line 94 to drain.

Thus it should be appreciated that the present invention provides afairly compact unit for supplying the compressed air and vacuum needs ofa dental office. The apparatus is relatively quiet and vibration free,which permits the apparatus to be located, if necessary, in the dentaloperatory. The arrangement of the components, namely the water ringvacuum pump, compressor, drive motor and compressor in a verticalrelationship one above the other makes the apparatus relatively compact,so that it requires only a minimum of floor space. Arranging thecompressor on a platform suspended from the top of the cabinetsubstantially reduces the vibration noises produced when the compressoris running. Mounting the compressor drive motor to the underside of theplatform not only conserves floor space, as set forth hereinabove, butalso lowers the center of gravity and increases the inertia of theplatform. This improves the stability of the platform and reduces thestart up jolts of the compressor. Tying the water system of the vacuumring pump to the heat exchanger of the air compressor eliminates theneed for two plumbing systems. The inclined ways on which the compressordrive motor is mounted increases the range of adjustment of the drivemotor with respect to the compressor for purposes of tightening thetension on the drive belts and for replacing compressor drive motors.

Thus it will be appreciated that the present invention accomplishes itsintended objects in providing the source of both compressed air andvacuum wherein the vacuum pump, compressor, compressor motor andcompressed air storage tank are all contained in a relatively compactmobile unit suitable for use in dental offices.

Having thus described the invention in detail, what is claimed as newis:

1. Dental apparatus for supplying compressed air and vacuum utilities todental operatories, said apparatus comprising:

a. an upright cabinet;

b. a water-ring vacuum pump located in the bottom portion of saidcabinet;

c. a platform suspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet and spacedfrom the sides of said cabinet;

d. an air compressor mounted to the upper surface of said platform;

e. a compressor drive motor mounted to the underside of said platformwith means connecting said motor and compressor; and

f. a heat exchanger for cooling the compressed air from said compressor,said heat exchanger having a water inlet and a water outlet forrecirculating cooling water through said heat exchanger, said wateroutlet being connected to the water inlet of said water ring vacuumpump.

2. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a compressed airstorage tank in said cabinet receiving the cooled compressed air fromsaid heat exchanger.

3. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1 wherein said meansconnecting said motor and compressor is a drive belt, said motor beingslidably mounted on a slide mechanism inclined with respect to theunderside of said platform including means for adjusting the tension ofsaid belt.

4. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said compressordraws air through an intake muffler mounted on said platform.

5. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a pair of saidheat exchangers, one a primary heat exchanger mounted on said platformand the other a secondary heat exchanger, said heat exchangers beingconnected in series so that compressed air passes first through saidprimaryexchanger and then through said secondary exchanger whereascooling water flows first through said secondary exchanger and thenthrough said primary exchanger.

6. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including a compressed airstorage tank in said cabinet connected to said compressor and air driermeans in said cabinet in series between said compressor and com pressedair storage tank.

7. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform issuspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet by tie rods which permitswinging movement of said platform horizontally in said cabinet.

8. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 7, including spring membersbetween said platform and tie rods.

9. Dental apparatus for supplying compressed air and vacuum utilities todental operatories, said apparatus comprising:

a. an upright cabinet;

b. a vacuum pump located in the bottom portion of said cabinet;

0. a platform suspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet;

d. an air compressor mounted to the upper surface of said platform; and

e. a compressor drive motor mounted to the under side of said platformincluding means connecting said motor and compressor.

10. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 9, wherein said platform issuspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet by tie rods which permitswinging movement of said platform horizontally in said cabinet.

11. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said compressor andmotor are connected by drive belts, said motor being slidably mounted onways provided on the undersurface of said platform, and means betweensaid platform and motor for moving said motor along said ways to adjustthe tension of said belts.

12. Apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein said vacuum pump is awater-ring vacuum pump, said apparatus including:

a. heat exchanger means for cooling the compressed air from saidcompressor;

b. means for circulating cooling water through said heat exchanger; and

c. a water conduit extending between and connecting said heat exchangermeans and water ring pump for circulating water from said heat exchangerto said water ring pump to operate the latter.

1. Dental apparatus for supplying compressed air and vacuum utilities todental operatories, said apparatus comprising: a. an upright cabinet; b.a water-ring vacuum pump located in the bottom portion of said cabinet;c. a platform suspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet and spacedfrom the sides of said cabinet; d. an air compressor mounted to theupper surface of said platform; e. a compressor drive motor mounted tothe underside of said platform with means connecting said motor andcompressor; and f. a heat exchanger for cooling the compressed air fromsaid compressor, said heat exchanger having a water inlet and a wateroutlet for recirculating cooling water through said heat exchanger, saidwater outlet being connected to the water inlet of said water ringvacuum pump.
 2. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, including acompressed air storage tank in said cabinet receiving the cooledcompressed air from said heat exchanger.
 3. Dental apparatus as setforth in claim 1 wherein said means connecting said motor and compressoris a drive belt, said motor being slidably mounted on a slide mechanisminclined with respect to the underside of said platform including meansfor adjusting the tension of said belt.
 4. Dental apparatus as set forthin claim 1, wherein said compressor draws air through an intake mufflermounted on said platform.
 5. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1,including a pair of said heat exchangers, one a primary heat exchangermounted on said platform and the other a secondary heat exchanger, saidheat exchangers being connected in series so that compressed air passesfirst through said primary exchanger and then through said secondaryexchanger whereas cooling water flows first through said secondaryexchanger and then through said primary exchanger.
 6. Dental apparatusas set forth in claim 1, including a compressed air storage tank in saidcabinet connected to said compressor and air drier means in said cabinetin series between said compressor and compressed air storage tank. 7.Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said platform issuspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet by tie rods which permitswinging movement of said platform horizontally in said cabinet. 8.Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 7, including spring membersbetween said platform and tie rods.
 9. Dental apparatus for supplyingcompressed air and vacuum utilities to dental operatories, saidapparatus comprising: a. an upright cabinet; b. a vacuum pump located inthe bottom portion of said cabinet; c. a platform suspended fromadjacent the top of said cabinet; d. an air compressor mounted to theupper surface of said platform; and e. a compressor drive motor mountedto the underside of said platform including means connecting said motorand compressor.
 10. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 9, whereinsaid platform is suspended from adjacent the top of said cabinet by tierods which permit swinging movement of said platform horizontally insaid cabinet.
 11. Dental apparatus as set forth in claim 9 wherein saidcompressor and motor are connected by drive belts, said motor beingslidably mounted on ways provided on the undersurface of said platform,and means between said platform and motor for moving said motor alongsaid ways to adjust the tension of said belts.
 12. Apparatus as setforth in claim 9 wherein said vacuum pump is a water-ring vacuum pump,said apparatus including: a. heat exchanger means for cooling thecompressed air from said compressor; b. means for circulating coolingwater through said heat exchanger; and c. a water conduit extendingbetween and connecting said heat exchanger means and water ring pump forcirculating water from said heat exchanger to said water ring pump tooperate the latter.